![\"Thailand](\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.towleroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thailand-Map.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThailand\u2019s government is considering opening the world\u2019s first prison designed exclusively for LGBT inmates.<\/span><\/p>\n Under a policy in place since 1993, LGBT prisoners are already separated from other inmates. <\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>Associated Press<\/b><\/a>\u00a0reports that in many Thai prisons LGBT prisoners mix with other inmates by day but sleep in their own quarters.<\/span><\/p>\n Watcharavit Vachiralerphum, the warden at Pattaya Remand in resort city Pattaya, said \u201cIf we didn\u2019t separate them, people could start fighting over partners to sleep with. It could,\u201d he added \u201clead to rape, sexual assault, and the spread of disease.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Thailand considers building prison for LGBT inmates, expanding on policy of separating jailed sexual minorities. t.co\/zoeJ3WDn5U<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Associated Press (@AP) January 29, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Sentenced to nine years for forgery, Chawalit Chankiew, agrees:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere are people that discriminate against gays<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIf I happen to sleep next to someone who hates gay<\/a> people, I wouldn\u2019t know it unless they show it. What if they hurt me one day?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Plans are now afoot for a separate LGBT facility on the outskirts of Bangkok. The idea was first proposed as a measure to keep LGBT people safe, but it stalled over concern that it would keep inmates far from their families.<\/span><\/p>\n Jean-Sebastian Blanc, an expert on prisons at the Switzerland-based Association for the Prevention of Torture, said:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBuilding and reallocating an entire prison facility for LGBT prisoners is as a matter of fact a measure of segregation.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere is a significant difference between a public health policy aiming at preventing transmissible diseases and segregating a segment of the population on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n In 2010, officials in Italy announced plans for a prison catering to transgender women<\/a>. However, the Ministry of Justice scuppered that plan over concerns that a special jail was a form of discrimination. <\/span><\/p>\n In Turkey, activists are attacking a proposed \u201cpink prison\u201d over concerns that inmates there could face worse conditions than regular inmates because of anti-gay<\/a> stigma.<\/span><\/p>\n The post Thailand Considers Opening World\u2019s First LGBT-Only Prison<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad<\/a>.<\/p>\nRELATED:\u00a0Bangkok to Hold First Gay Pride in 11 Years<\/em><\/a><\/h2>\n
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